Sheer Heart Attack - Dear Friends
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Lyric / Section
Interpretation & Notes
1
“So dear friends, your love has gone”
Direct, mournful opening. A farewell, but gentle — grief wrapped in compassion.
2
“Only tears to dwell upon”
Imagery of sorrow as something to sit with; resignation rather than protest.
3
“I wish you well”
Benediction amid loss. Suggests letting go with kindness rather than bitterness.
4
Sparse piano + soft harmonies
The arrangement is minimal: Brian May’s writing paired with Mercury’s tender delivery, almost hymn-like.
5
One minute, no reprise
Its brevity makes it feel like a passing prayer — a fleeting interlude of fragility amid a noisy rock album.
Note: Written by Brian May, sung by Freddie Mercury. A miniature elegy of compassion — as if pausing the album’s chaos to whisper comfort to a grieving friend.
